The Majority Report

If you could single out one thing that needs to change, what would it be?

The Majority Report is a video competition in which you can tell the world what you think needs to change.

Is it political?

Well, it certainly has a political feel to it, because a “Majority Report” is one of the things one expects to get from a proper democracy. But it’s not exclusively about politics. It could be about anything. Deep change sometimes comes from small insights, tiny ripples caused in our current belief systems, small cracks in the way we perceive our world.

“What needs to change?” is a very broad question. Why is that?

All sorts of people constantly decide what you should be talking about. The media, the government, the whole lot are intent on making you talk and think about the things they want you to talk and think about. But what is it that we’re not talking about? Aren’t we missing something crucial? Anyway, it’s not a good idea to set an agenda when you want to have fresh answers. Real change demands new ways of thinking. It requires that we step outside the circle drawn by those whose interests are served by the status quo. So it’s completely open and we ask a strong question which demands a strong answer: What needs to change?

KEY DATES

Submission deadline: 31 January 2013
Voting deadline: 15 February 2013
Winners announced: 8 March 2013
Public exhibition: March 2013

What can I submit?

The Majority Report is essentially a video competition, although we will also accept audio submissions.

We are looking for good ideas and won’t focus on your technical ability or the tools you use. Use your mobile phone if you have to.

If you want to upload a sound recording only (MP3, for example), you can use the video link provided, but your file will have to be in the correct video format.*

What should my video (or audio) be about?

You should answer the question: What needs to change? There are no limits to the subjects you may explore. Your story can be about anything. Freedom, Politics, Parents, Religion, Sex, Nature, Race, Education, Beauty. Anything at all.

There are no formal categories and all contributions that address the question are welcome. Record a conversation, make a documentary, perform a piece a theatre. Tell your story and tell the world what needs to change.

The format of your submission

We only accept Vimeo and YouTube videos. You can also provide a text summary of your project which will introduce voters to your ideas before they view your stuff.

How long should it be?

Your video should be no longer than three minutes.

A few pointers before you start

• Global issues get a lot of press these days. Feel free to talk about them, but keep in mind that these issues tend to become rather overwhelming. Most global problems have a habit of starting locally in some way or another. See if you can’t perhaps take them on while they are still in your back yard.
• By all means express yourself, but be sure to reflect on your story a little. Think about our current situation, how we got here and how we should respond to what has gone before. Not all forms of reflection need be rational, nor does it have to take place in language. At any rate, don’t just express. Think. Look around you. Do some research. Read a book. Take some pictures. Talk to people.
• The Internet tends to revolve around popular stories. For this exercise, rather aim for the important ones.
• We’d be especially happy to hear from young people. If we don’t hear from you, we may suspect that you are leading us into a silent and voiceless future.

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* To convert your sound file to a video file, you can:

• use a web service such as mp32tube.com. The service converts your file to a video format while allowing you to add a single, static image to your video.
• convert your mp3 to an AVI, using this service online-convert.com. The video will simply be blank while the audio file plays.
• use free video editing equipment such as Videopad. This will allow you to add multiple images, or, well, video. In which case you will be submitting a video anyway.

But, honestly, if it’s about the sound, don’t spend too much time on the visual bits. Simply convert to video and upload. Just make sure you mention (in the summary field) that you are submitting an audio file. That way we won’t expect a video. Sorted.

Who can participate?

Entry to the competition is free and open to anyone.

You do not have to be a resident of the UK and submissions from anywhere on this troubled globe will be accepted.

You can submit work done by an individual or by a group, as long as you acknowledge all the members of the group.

What can I submit?

The Majority Report is essentially a video competition, although we will also accept audio submissions. Please see the “Submit your video” link for more information.

Audio or video submissions should be no longer than three minutes.

General

You may only submit one video.

Text should be written in English.

By submitting an entry you confirm that you are the copyright holder and creator of the work and that you will be responsible for any claims by any third party.

Videos must be created specifically for this competition and must address the question “What needs to change?”.

By submitting a video, you grant LibArts London the right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, publish and display your work (in whole or part) worldwide.

No work sent after 31 January 2013 will be accepted for the competition.

1. The first round of votes will take place via our Facebook page. Voters will have one vote per entry only. (Only videos that meet the criteria will be made available for voting.)
2. The 25 entries with the most votes will be reviewed by a panel of judges who will select the winner and runners up.